Rostraver Public Library makes improvements with gift from anonymous donor
Rostraver Public Library makes improvements with gift from anonymous donor
Mark Soroka/For the Observer-Reporter
Rostraver Public Library director Naomi Cross poses in the Children’s Room at the library.
Mark Soroka/For the Observer-Reporter
Director Naomi Cross demonstrates a new smart board at Rostraver Public Library that will enable patrons, students and businesses to share and edit digital files.
When a local benefactor approached Rostraver Public Library and expressed interest in offering the library a donation, it didn’t take long for library officials to put together a wish list.
“We couldn’t believe our good fortune,” said Naomi Cross, director of the library. “We already had a strategic plan that outlined our goals for the future. The thinking was that when an opportunity came along, we would address each of our objectives, one at a time. We were able to do a lot of those things all at once when the donor made the offer.”
Recently, officials at Rostraver Library unveiled several new enhancements that will help meet the information, reading, learning and communication needs of the communities it serves in the Mon Valley.
Among those enhancements, the library upgraded its computers to improve security for users, installed several white boards that allow users to collaborate on projects and added extra seating in the Children’s Room and front lounge.
The donation also enabled the library to add a colorful mural in the Children’s Room that depicts kids’ favorite story characters.
“The mural will liven up the Children’s Room and make it more inviting now,” said Cross.
In addition, the library purchased a smart board with a touch screen. Users will be able to create and share documents as well as interact with people at other locations.
“There’s a lot of potential for schools and businesses to come here and use the smart board,” said Cross. “Our team is working on a plan to determine how the smart board can best serve the community.”
The library will also be adding a conference table in the Pennsylvania Room in the near future.
Cross said Rostraver Library is a place where people can do more than just read and check out books.
“At Rostraver Library, we strive to inspire the community to learn, create, connect and grow,” she said. “We offer a children’s story hour, summer reading programs, book clubs, tech nights, seminars and much more. Rostraver Library is also an asset for all the communities in the Mon Valley. As long as you are a resident of Pennsylvania, you can borrow books from our library or get a library card.”
Rostraver Library, which started at the old Lebanon School in 1958 and then relocated to the old Fells Church in 1989, moved into its new location in 2007. The library currently has approximately 30,000 books for loan.
While Cross declined to divulge the name of the donor and the amount of the contribution, she noted that the benefactor has helped the library in the past.
“We are extremely grateful to the donor for their generosity,” said Cross. “Through this contribution, we were able to achieve our goals much sooner than we projected. Our future is even brighter, thanks to this kind donor.”